Derric Johnson

Director

As a Musician... he has written 150 original songs, 23 cantatas and 2800 musical arrangements, published 32 books of choral collections and has been involved in producing 84 recorded albums on twelve labels.

As a Creator... he founded and directed THE RE'GENERATION, a touring ensemble of singers who traveled for twelve years, logging over a million miles, performing to more than 12,000,000 people in 6,000 concerts.

As a Speaker... he is recognized as a Staley Foundation Lecturer, is often featured in National and International Conventions with his inspirational and motivational delivery.

As An Educator... for six years he held the position of Artist in Residence / Director of Music Ministries at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.

As an Author... he has written nine books, including EASY DOESN'T DO IT; LISTS... THE BOOK; EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT; THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS and TAKE ME TO A SONG...

Discography

Review: 1991 release by Derric Johnson, esteemed director of the Voices of Liberty. Many of the arrangements are also his, and can be recognized by their dramatic codas and lofty soprano range. There are many familiar carols, such as 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,' 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Little Drummer Boy,' just to name a few - 26 tracks in all. With that kind of variety, there is something for everyone: 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy,' a spiritual; 'Calypso Noel,' with that island rhythm; 'Pat-A-Pan,' in the French classical vein. 'Gesu Bambino' is one of the prettiest songs, a distinctive melody, coupled with an easy waltz tempo.

Songlist: Do You Hear What I Hear?, A Starry Night, Calypso Noel, Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Pat-A-Pan, Sing Allelulia/ In Excelsis Deo, I Wonder As I Wander, Christmas, Gesu Bambino, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Little Bitty Baby/ Wonderful Counselor, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, O Holy Night, Go Tell It On The Mountain, White Christmas, Fum Fum Fum, While Shepards Watched, The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful, What A Merry Little Christmas Tree, The Birthday Of A King, Winter Wonderland, Little Drummer Boy, French Chorale Of Praise, Away In A Manger, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Review: Follow-up to previous release by the Regeneration troupe. As on Volume I and II, Derric Johnson's voice-orchestra performs sensational arrangements of carols such as 'Joy To The World,' 'Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town' and 'Deck The Halls.' Particularly lovely is 'Carol Of The Russian Children/The Sleigh,' popularized by the Singers Unlimited.

Songlist: Joy To The World, I'll Be Home For Christmas, Carol Of The Russian Children/ The Sleigh, Go Where I Send Thee, Silent Night, Let It Snow!, Jingle Bells, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Hanukkah, The Christmas Song/ Chestnuts Roasting, Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Carol Of The Bells, Silver Bells, Christmas In The Air, Deck The Halls, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Some Children See Him

Review: Velvet: a rich fabric. The harmonies of Regeneration: sumptuous, angelic outpourings of rejoicing, of which velvet is a most fitting adjective. Carrying on in the mode established by the best-selling "Christmas In Velvet" volumes one and two, the fourteen traditionals and hymns contained here (ten of which were released a few years ago in a now out-of-print recording entitled"Pure Silk"), are inspiring not only because of their thematic content of praise, but because of the arranging of Derric Johnson, the group's director. To study a Derric Johnson arrangement is to contemplate the canon of a master. Key to his style is his seamless blending of classical choral and jazz idioms that are fresh, yet easy to assimilate. What could be more uplifting than the gloriously ascending intervals of "More Than Wonderful," ending in an epic high note? The serene and resonant "Holy Ground" is set against a backdrop of plush oohs and aahs. The countermelodic texture of "Just As I Am" is engaging but never excessive. The men and women of Regeneration (some of whom moonlight as Walt Disney World's "Voices of Liberty"), could not be more pristine in their performance. Their control, phrasing and interpretation is textbook perfect. All in all, "Hymns in Velvet" is an exercise of pure enjoyment.

Songlist: Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Jesus, Lover of my Soul, Just a Little Talk With Jesus, Spirit of God, I Must Tell Jesus, A Mighty Fortress , I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Just As I Am, It Is Well With My Soul, Go Down Moses, Holy Ground, Jesus Is His Name, More Than Wonderful

Review: Derric Johnson is the director of the 'Voices Of Liberty,' the ten-voice ensemble that performs at Walt Disney World. This collection, featuring the Voices themselves, is as unabashedly and straightforwardly patriotic as it is possible to be, with songs such as 'This Land Is Your Land,' 'America, The Beautiful' and 'Battle Hymn Of The Republic' on the set list. The CD's opener, 'Golden Dream,' is the musical equivalent of a twelve-gun salute, if for nothing other than its finale, which climbs up the scale chromatically to dizzying heights. The challenging arrangements and the virtuosity of the performances - excellent across the board - are a complement to the sometimes grave lyrical content, which emphasizes all-American values with unmitigated confidence. Whatever one's opinions on that score, musically 'A Cappella Americana' is great.

Songlist: Golden Dream, Shenandoah, Railroad Medley, We, The People / America The Beautiful, The Star Spangled Banner, Songs Of The South (medley), This Land Is Your Land, Battle Hymn Of The Republic, Oh Susanna!, Black Is The Color of my True Love's Hair, The Penny / My Country 'tis of Thee

Review: Quite probably the busiest performing a cappella group in the country The Voices of Liberty are also one of the longest running professional a cappella groups as they perform several sets each and every day at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The group follows in an even longing-running tradition of Regeneration, as both are almost the same as they were both directed by, and perform almost exclusively the arrangements of, the great Derric Johnson. This release follows the four highly successful and still very popular "Christmas in Velvet" recordings and this is a most welcome addition to the series. Derric's arrangements are very distinctive and are seemingly very complex yet very simple all at the same time. One can listen to the songs on different levels either just relaxing and let the voices wash over you or listen intently to every nuance of the arrangement. The company of singers who make up the ensemble are also top-notch and include a barbershop international champion, some rocking contemporary singers and many professional voices that all blend marvelously. If you loved their previous recordings you simply must have this recording.

Songlist: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Sing We Now of Christmas, Christmas Time Is Here, Frosty the Snowman, Down The Stairway of Stars, Hallelujah Chorus, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, Still, Still, Still, Mary's Little Boy, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Let There Be Peace on Earth

Review: Widely considered to one of today's top a cappella arrangers Derric Johnson is also one of our favorites. This songbook is a collection of 14 classic American folk songs as for arranged and performed by Derric Johnson's Liberty Voices and which can be heard on their CDs "A Cappella Americana" and "A Slice of A Cappella". To study a Derric Johnson arrangement is to contemplate the canon of a master. Key to his style is his seamless blending of classical choral and jazz idioms that are fresh, yet easy to assimilate. We highly recommend this songbook for most all choirs, ensembles and groups should have a least one Derric Johnson arrangement in their repertoire.

Review: Quite probably the busiest performing a cappella group in the country The Voices of Liberty are also one of the longest running professional a cappella groups as they perform several sets each and every day at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The group follows in an even longing-running tradition of Regeneration, as both are almost the same as they were both directed by, and perform almost exclusively the arrangements of, the great Derric Johnson. The sheet music we've all been waiting for, finally some of Derric Johnson's finest Christmas arrangements have been printed for us to sing! Included are 3 Volumes of 4 songs each from the namesake recordings.

Songlist: A Cappella Christmas Vol. 1, Away in a Manger, Gesu Bambino, Go Tell It On the Mountain, O Holy Night, A Cappella Christmas Vol. 2, Deck the Halls, Go Where I Send Thee, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Jingle Bells, A Cappella Christmas Vol. 3, Christmas In The Air, French Chorale of Praise, Pat-a-Pan, We Wish You A Merry Christmas